By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
Day 3 has been done and dusted with Germany putting up the most impressive team performance to date as they destroyed Australia 4-0 with a superb display of attacking football. Meanwhile Ghana set the example for the other African sides to follow as they shocked debutants Serbia 1-0. Slovenia won the battle of the underdogs as they overcame Algeria 1-0.
Let’s move on to Day 4 where big guns Holland and Italy are in action as they face Denmark and Paraguay respectively. Meanwhile fellow Asians, Japan, will look to emulate neighbours South Korea’s impressive 2-0 win over Greece when they take on Cameroon.
Will the Oranje display their brand of “Total Football”? Or will Denmark shut them with their strong defence led by Daniel Agger?
Will defending champions the Azzuris shut their critics up? Or will Roque Santa Cruz’s firepower break the Italian hearts?
Will the Blue Samurai do Asia proud once again? Or will the Indomitable Lions prove too strong for the Asians?
Let our stand-in Group E pundit Asyraf Akbar and Group F pundit Muhammad Nuri give you a preview of the various clashes tonight.
Mohd Asyraf Akbar of VJC. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Muhammad Nuri of RI. (Photo 2 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Holland vs Denmark
Asyraf Says: 3-0 to Holland
I expect Netherlands to beat Denmark tonight. Although the Danes will provide a very stern test with their tough defensive mentality, Netherlands are a quality team with a potent attacking line-up. Even without star winger Arjen Robben, I believe the Netherlands team has enough class within its ranks to emerge victorious today.
With Rafael Van der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt, Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder making up Netherlands’ attack, it’s difficult to see Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen keeping a clean sheet at the end of the 90 minutes. The pioneers of the “Total football” philosophy, Netherlands are capable of playing fluid one-touch football that can break any defence down. They are also defensively solid with De Jong and Van Bommel protecting the backline and breaking up any potential threat from the Danes. There will definitely be goals in this one.
Denmark will lack the firepower tonight. Their biggest goal threat, star striker Nicklas Bendtner (Van Persie’s deputy at Arsenal), is out with an injury. I expect them to field a very defensive line-up to stop Netherlands from running riot in front of goal.
Key Player (Denmark): Daniel Agger
The Danes will be counting on the Liverpool defender to lead the defence in stopping Netherlands’ strikeforce which is led by his Liverpool teammate Dirk Kuyt.
More News
Denmark coach Morten Olsen will settle for draw
Previous Encounter in 2008: Holland 1-0 Denmark
Previous Encounter in 2000: Holland 3-0 Denmark
Japan vs Cameroon
Asyraf Says: 1-1 Draw
I expect an exciting game. An Asian team versus an Africa team always promises an open game with end-to-end stuff. Both teams will feel that this game is their best chance to claim three points and will go all out to secure a victory.
Both teams have decent squads that look similar in quality. While Cameroon is traditionally an African powerhouse, they haven’t exactly been convincing in their few warm-up games and are sometimes too heavily reliant on their star forward Samuel Eto’o. Eto’o will no doubt be tightly marked by the Japanese defence today, so the Cameroon midfield will need to work extra hard to provide him with support.
Shutting Samuel Eto’o out is the big key for Japan today. He is Cameroon’s main supply of goals, and the defence needs to do whatever it takes to stop him. Other than that, Japan must take the game to Cameroon by playing at a high intensity level and be ruthless in front of goal.
Hard to predict, but i think Japan will a nick a 1-1 draw.
Key player (Japan): Hidetoshi Nakata
With his good looks and sexy underwear-model body in the stands, the Cameroonians will find it hard to keep their concentration and focus on the game at hand. He is Japan’s dangerous weapon.
More News
Japan coach Takeshi Okada promises to attack
Previous Encounter in 2002: Japan 2-0 Cameroon
Italy vs Paraguay
Nuri Says: 1-0 to Italy
I personally fancy Italy’s chances on winning this particular contest. On paper, Paraguay’s squad pales in comparison to Italy’s star studded list of 23.
However if the Azurris wants to taste victory in their opening match, it probably won’t be an easy and straight-forward game as the Paraguay side is rather well known for their aggression. They will go all out to prove that they are no pushovers.
Furthermore, Italy has only been scoring two goals at most in their ten World Cup qualifying matches. Their inability to score goals might even cost them the game or only win by a narrow margin.
Player to watch: Andrea Pirlo
Usually the heartbeat of the Azzuris, Pirlo has the capability to unlock defences with his pinpoint passing and vision.
More News
Andrea Pirlo to be replaced by Ricardo Montolivo
Fabio Cannavaro hoping to emulate class of 2006
Luciano Moggi dismiss Italy’s hopes
Paraguay insist striker Oscar Cardozo is fit
Paraguay take inspiration from Salvador Cabanas
| GROUP E | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HOLLAND  | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 9 |
JAPAN  | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
DENMARK  | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
CAMEROON  | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
| GROUP F | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PARAGUAY  | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 |
SLOVAKIA  | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
NEW ZEALAND  | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
ITALY  | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
